Planning Policy within Cumbria

The Development Plan is the starting point for considering planning applications for development in the county. Decisions should be made in accordance with it unless there are material considerations which indicate otherwise. The Development Plan for Cumbria comprises the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Minerals and Waste Development Framework Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policies, District Council Local Plans and the saved policies of the Joint Structure Plan and Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

Cumbria County Council has to prepare the Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) because it is responsible for considering planning applications for minerals and waste developments. The District Councils have to prepare their Local Development Frameworks for other types of development such as for housing and employment land. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities are responsible for preparing their Local Development Frameworks for all types of development.

Purpose of the Development Frameworks

The purpose of  these is to secure spatial planning, rather than just the allocation and control of land uses. To achieve this the local planning authorities take into account a wide range of economic, social and environmental factors that matter to the people of Cumbria and engage with communities and interested parties about them at an early stage.

The Development Frameworks have to conform to national and regional policies and relate them in more detail to the characteristics of their respective plan areas.  

Current Policies

The North West Regional Spatial Strategy was adopted in September 2008; the Cumbria Minerals and Waste Development Framework's Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policies were adopted in April 2009.  All of the District Councils and the National Park Authorities have adopted Local Plans. Information about the progress of their Local Development Frameworks can be seen on their respective websites.

The Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan has now largely been replaced by Regional Spatial Strategy and Minerals and Waste Development Framework Core Strategy policies. 

The County Council is currently preparing the Minerals and Waste Development Framework's Site Allocations Policies and Proposals Map. These will identify the sites that will be needed in Cumbria (outside the two National Parks) for working and safeguarding minerals and for managing waste during the period to 2020. 

For further information on Minerals and Waste Planning Policy or to find out how the remaining work for the Minerals & Waste Development Framework is progressing, please click on the link below or on the left-hand-side navigation panel.